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(Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (mainland))

Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:6085-6092

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.908979

BACKGROUND:
Adenomyosis is a cause of chronic pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of subcutaneous etonogestrel implantation on adenomyosis.MATERIAL AND METHODS:
A clinical observational study included 17 women with adenomyosis who were treated with subcutaneous etonogestrel implants and followed-up for 12 months. Imaging and clinical observations were undertaken in the 17 patients at baseline (time 0), and at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months following subcutaneous etonogestrel implantation. The following imaging and clinical findings were compared between baseline (time 0) and 12-month follow-up: menstrual bleeding pattern, dysmenorrhea, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, uterine volume, serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels, hemoglobin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, luteinizing hormone levels, serum estradiol levels, and any treatment side effects.RESULTS:
All 17 patients treated with etonogestrel implants completed the 12-month follow-up, at which time, the mean hemoglobin level (127.08±2.56 g/L) was significantly higher compared with that at baseline (94.54±5.47 g/L; P<0.01); uterine volume, serum CA125, and VAS score for dysmenorrhea at 12 months (118.03±12.83 cm³, 34.58±9.66 U/mL, and 1.45±0.35, respectively) were significantly lower when compared with baseline (198.53±39.47 cm³, 100.41±49.89 U/mL, and 7.62±0.74, respectively) (P<0.01, for all). However, changes in bleeding pattern and amenorrhoea occurred after treatment in some women.CONCLUSIONS:
Subcutaneous etonogestrel was effective in reducing some symptoms and signs of adenomyosis, including dysmenorrhea, anemia, serum CA125, and uterine volume.

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